Traveling all the way from the North Pole (via the Rooftop Landing Reindeer Farms), Santa and his live reindeer will be visiting the library. Dress warmly - this is an outdoor event and don't forget the camera!

Directions: Give baby kisses on all of the body parts mentioned in this rhyme. Remember to make eye contact.

Bonding: The relationship between adult and baby can be nurtured through cuddling, rocking, and soothing sounds. The nature of baby's relationship with his caregiver is an important source of his self-esteem.

Music Minute

Underground Playground is an excellent choice for parents who cringe at the thought of listening to yet another syrupy Radio Disney selection. Welcome to the world of Kid-Hop! After a decade of touring nationally as a rapper and producer and sharing the stage with the likes of Run DMC, Mos Def and P Funk, Secret Agent 23 Skidoo released his first Kid-Hop album in 2008. While most rap music on the market is not appropriate for the ears of children, Skidoo raps honestly about common childhood challenges such as name calling, arguments, and feeling nervous. The poetic lyrics and top notch music found on Underground Playground will appeal to more than just hip-hop fans. In fact, the music is so catchy that many parents will find themselves listening to it when their children are not around. Take that, Radio Disney!

The Kent District Library is here to provide you and your child with the skills needed to succeed in school and in life. KDL's Early Lit Bits newsletter is full of FUN and simple activities that will help foster that growth. For more information regarding the skills your child needs before he or she learns to read, visit the Play-Grow-Read section of the KDL website. You can also stop by any KDL branch in order to speak with one of our helpful youth librarians. We hope to see you soon!

Learning with Crafts

Make a Story Box

Here is a fun way to use up items that would otherwise end up in the recycling bin and help your child learn to read at the same time.

Did you know that a dragonfly can catch and eat about 50 mosquitoes in a day, or that mosquitoes can detect human breath from 75 feet away? Bug facts such as these abound in Bugs by the Numbers, by Sharon Werner and Sarah Foss. The creators of Alphabeasties have tackled the insect world, bringing a book to share with bug-lovers of all ages. Each illustration uses a specific number related to the bug to create incredible shapes, from ants and bees to cockroaches and scorpions. Fascinating facts highlight each page and fun flaps accompany many of the larger bugs. The sturdy pages and cut-outs are perfect for small hands. Even pre-readers will enjoy poring over the amazing bug shapes and interacting with the fold-out pages. This unique non-fiction book creates an opportunity for talking about bugs with your child, discussing what you already know about them and discovering new information together. Talking and asking questions are great ways to increase vocabulary and get your child ready to read!

KDLville Early Literacy Play Spaces

KDLville at the Plainfield branch opened officially in August 2011. There you will find a wonderful puppet stage, a fun dollhouse, Legos, and more. Everyday, kids have fun at our art and writing centers. To make room for the art and writing centers, computers had to be removed from the children's area. Luckily, there has been a great response to this change and the kids have embraced their inner author/artist with great gusto.